Member Spotlight

Which class do you usually attend? I started off going to the 4 p.m. class when I was in high school and this summer I have been going to the 5:30 a.m. class.

If you could create your ideal WOD what would it look it? That’s a difficult question to answer. There are too many movements to pick from. But if I had to choose, there would probably be some running, power cleans, kettle bell swings, and rope climbs. Those are my favorite.

How long have you been at CrossFit Nashua? I started in October 2014 and have been hooked ever since.

Do you remember your first week? How did you feel? Do you remember the workout? The first week was brutal. After the first day I remember not being able to walk because my legs hurt so bad. I used muscles I never thought I had and never thought that I could be so sore from just one day of working out. I think the workout consisted of overhead lunges, kettle bell swings and burpees.

What is your athletic background? I played soccer for about eight years and then I rowed for about two years.

How has CFN changed your life, lifestyle and level of fitness? After starting Crossfit, it became part of my daily routine. It was something that I had to do everyday, because if I didn’t I felt off, like my day was missing something. During my first year of college and working out in a regular gym, I realized just how much I missed CFN. Working out by yourself, trying to motivate yourself to get up every morning and work out was tough. I used the CFN WODs to keep my workouts varied but had to modify a lot of them because we didn’t have all the same equipment, but it helped me from getting bored. I couldn’t wait to come home for Christmas break and go back to CFN. Overall, I think that my level of fitness has greatly increased because of Crossfit as I feel like my strength and endurance have improved tremendously.

What is one personal goal that you would like to achieve at CFN? Just one? There are so many goals that I want to achieve — kipping handstand push-ups, bar muscle-ups, handstand walk, double-unders…just to name a few.

What moment/achievement are you most proud of at CFN? I remember the first time that I completely RX’ed a workout. I felt so accomplished and proud, I never thought that I would be able to do that.

What is one thing the most people do NOT know about you? When I was younger at soccer camp we were going around trying to give everyone funny nicknames, and one of my coaches jokingly called me “Shrimpy.” Ever since then, the name has stuck. Most of my soccer friends still sometimes call me “Shrimpy.”

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about joining or who has recently joined? If you are thinking about joining, JOIN! I was nervous when I first started, I think everyone is at the beginning. But everyone has been in your shoes on the first day — not knowing what to expect — everyone has been there. That’s why the coaches are there, and everyone in your class will help you along the way. It will be the best decision you’ll ever made. The community and environment at CFN is unparalleled. If you just recently joined, keep going! Be consistent and even if you don’t want to go, or you don’t like the workout, GO! You won’t regret it. I know that when I’m tired and don’t feel like going, that’s when I really need to go and I feel so much better after. It’s definitely worth it.

Name: Henrique Tupinamba

Age: 28

Occupation: Customer Service Rep

Which class do you usually attend? I attend the 6pm class Mon-Fri and the 11am Saturday class

If you could create your ideal WOD what would it look it? My ideal WOD would include clean and jerks/ snatches I really enjoy Olympic lifting, anything but running!

How long have you been at CrossFit Nashua? I have been a member for 1 year and 2 months and about 4 months prior to that in boot camp

Do you remember your first week? How did you feel? Do you remember the workout? First week I remember I was crawling up the stairs on my hands because my legs were to sore for me to walk. I believe the workout was 50-40-30-20-10 KB and Wall balls. I dread that workout to this day

What is your athletic background? I’ve always been kinda of active, mountain biking and soccer but nothing this intense

How has CFN changed your life, lifestyle and level of fitness? It’s has changed my life immensely, I have realized I really enjoy working out and challenging myself each day and see how far I can go.

What is one personal goal that you would like to achieve at CFN? My personal goal is to be able to one day do a muscle up

What moment/achievement are you most proud of at CFN? One of my most proudest achievements at crossfit is to moment I realized I could do a rope climb

What is one thing the most people do NOT know about you? One of the things people don’t know about me I was pretty afraid of going crossfit I thought it was always to tough for me

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about joining or who has recently joined? My advice is for someone who is thinking about joining is go for it is probably one of the best decisions you will make for your life. It is a great community! And Yes it is not easy and painless and some days you will wish you were somewhere else, but the feeling of accomplishment you get when you finally overcome something greatly outweigh the pain!

Name: James Melanson

Age: 38

Occupation: mechanic

Which class do you usually attend? Usually 6:00pm, but I attend different times occasionally.

If you could create your ideal WOD what would it look it? This sounds like a trick question. 😉 I do like when it’s rounds for time with a combination of strength and cardio, especially running.

How long have you been at CrossFit Nashua? A little over a year now.

Do you remember your first week? How did you feel? Do you remember the workout? I do remember my first week. I was sore for a couple of days afterwards. I don’t remember the workout itself, but I definitely remember Mike’s warm up. I had never done so many burpees in my life.

What is your athletic background? I was Army for six years. Before that I played soccer, baseball, and practiced martial arts for a few years.

How has CFN changed your life, lifestyle and level of fitness? Crossfit Nashua has completely changed my life. At my heaviest I was at 278 pounds. I’m proud to say I’m down to about 170. I can honestly say that I’m in the best shape of my life right now. Even better than when I was in the Army, and I’m definitely the healthiest I’ve been in years.

What is one personal goal that you would like to achieve at CFN? I want to be able to do Fran rx.

What moment/achievement are you most proud of at CFN? Definitely my proudest achievement is the weight loss. Followed by being able to a regular pull-up for the first time in over a decade.

What is one thing the most people do NOT know about you? I’m terrified of heights, but I really want to go skydiving someday.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about joining or who has recently joined? For anyone thinking about joining, I can honestly say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Being healthy doesn’t happen on it’s own, it requires hard work and discipline. The coaches at CFN were an invaluable resource in helping me achieve that. I can only say I wish I joined sooner. To anyone who has recently joined, stick with it, this absolutely works. Show up as often as you can, especially when you don’t feel like you want to. You’re going to sweat like you never have before, and you’ll be really sore for a day or two, but you’ll be happy with the results afterwards.

If you could create your ideal WOD what would it look it? Diane, with a handstand walk cash out

How long have you been at CrossFit Nashua? 2 years

Do you remember your first week? Absolutely. Who can forget Moonshine Mike and boot camp??

How did you feel? Fantastic. Glad to be back in the gym!

Do you remember the workout? No but I’m sure I probably thought I was dying.

What is your athletic background? Former gymnast. Taught fitness classes for 20+ years. Gymnastics coach since age 18.

How has CFN changed your life, lifestyle and level of fitness? I get bored easily. So when I stopped teaching fitness, then broke my foot and was laid up for 3 months, I was going out of my mind. CrossFit is perfect because it’s different every day and I can’t possibly get bored and I know every WOD will be a great workout. At my age, with my (insert list of) lingering old injuries, I never thought my body would be capable of achieving what I have in the last two years.

What is one personal goal that you would like to achieve at CFN? To not be afraid of dislocating my shoulder every time I hang on the rings … and then do a ring muscle up.

What moment/achievement are you most proud of at CFN? Not getting my name on the Pukie Board… yet.

What is one thing the most people do NOT know about you? I have 4 daughters and 3 dogs. Not sure if that’s news since I post pics of them all over the place.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about joining or who has recently joined? What are you waiting for??

Name: Kristina (Tina) Baird 🙂

Age: 25

Occupation: Administrative Assistant at Dick’s Sporting Goods

Which class do you usually attend: You can usually find me at the gym anytime around 4pm-7pm. I usually WOD at 5pm and have extra programming to do before/after. 630am will always have my heart though!

If you could create your ideal WOD, what would it look like: 17.5 Hahaha

How long have you been at CrossFit Nashua: 3+ years

Do you remember your first week? How did you feel? Do you remember the workout?: I actually do remember my first week. How could I forget it? I was instantly hooked. I started with bootcamp for about a month or so. I felt awesome and couldn’t get enough. Me and Amanda would stay and do the WODs twice sometimes! I don’t remember the exact workout we did on my first day but I do remember my first month involved a lot of burpees… and a lot of Moonshine Mike yelling at us. It didn’t take him long to get warmed up to us!

What is your athletic background: I’ve always been pretty athletic. I played sports all throughout high school. After high school I was always in the gym. I’m a gym rat turned full blown crossfitter.

How has CFN changed your life, lifestyle and level of fitness: CFN has changed my life drastically. I used to spend most of my nights and weekends out with friends. Now I spend most of my nights and weekends still with friends but instead I am now improving my health and well being. I always thought I was fit and in good shape but I never knew what my body was capable of until I started CrossFit! It’s unbelievable to see what your body can do. I wish I had found this sooner!

What is one personal goal you would like to achieve at CFN: My short term goal is to string muscle ups together more comfortably. My long term dream goal is to place top 200 in our region during the open. Maybe one day I can be like T Gray:)

What moment/achievement are you most proud of at CFN: The moment I am most proud of at CFN would probably be when I got my first muscle up. After practicing for so long and failing over and over again the feeling of accomplishment when I finally was able to get through the rings (very ugly mind you) was amazing. I still have the video that Steph took. I will never forget this moment because she was so happy for me. The video catches me doing the muscle up and then just goes crazy because she is jumping up and down screaming. Moments like that stay with you throughout life. It’s those feelings that everyone should strive to feel. That PR high… nothing can beat that!

What is one thing that MOST people do not know about you: Something that most people do not know about me is that I hate failure. Which is hard with CrossFit because you need to fail to get better. I think CrossFit has definitely taught me that it is okay to fail and not everyone/everything can be perfect. Especially when you are going for a PR.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about joining or who has recently joined: Do it. It will be the best decision of your life. When it hurts, keep coming. Motion is lotion! The days when you don’t want to come are the days when you need to come. You won’t just become a better athlete, you will become a better person. Not only have I improved my all around health I have met some pretty amazing people that I now consider family. #Savages The community aspect is only a plus but it makes the suffering worth while. Walking into the doors of CrossFit Nashua was the best decision of my life.

Name: Scot Hardy

Age: Why does that matter?

Occupation: Humorist

Which class do you usually attend? Daily (whatever I can make)

If you could create your ideal WOD what would it look it? As long as there is a cash out I am happy.

How long have you been at CrossFit Nashua? 3 plus years

What is your athletic background? I am an amazing athlete.

How has CFN changed your life, lifestyle and level of fitness? I am more physically confident than ever before and the result has impacted my professional life and my personal life.

What is one personal goal that you would like to achieve at CFN?

I would like to more consistent with my lifts and beat Ron, Peter, Ryan, Cepak, Charley, Andre etc in every workout 🙂

What moment/achievement are you most proud of at CFN? Getting a bar muscle up in this years open was pretty profound. The achievement was awesome but the support was incredible.

What is one thing the most people do NOT know about you?

I’m actually really handsome.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about joining or who has recently joined?

1- Don’t be intimidated by the workout, think of it as minutes and it’s over before you know it.

2-Remember that your body was made for this and will recover and respond to what ever you throw at it.

3- everyone hates burpees

4- love yourself enough to say no to the food that doesn’t help and say yes to a workout that is hard.

5- everyone here is weird so you will fit right in.

Name: Dennis Haerinck

Age: 39

Occupation: Firefighter and Carpenter

Which class do you usually attend? I have attended every class at CFN and have also been to CFS. I am most frequently seen between 5 pm and 7pm at CFN.

If you could create your ideal WOD what would it look it? I enjoy WODS that are cardio based. My ideal WOD would be 3 rounds for time: 400m run, 10 over the shoulder D-Balls, 1 rope climb.

How long have you been at CrossFit Nashua? I have been a member since August 2015.

Do you remember your first week? How did you feel? Do you remember the workout? I remember visiting for the first time. I was immediately greeted by Peter Brown aka: The Mayor of CFN. It was a bit overwhelming. My first week of workouts was amazing and painful. I remember asking myself “why am I doing this to myself”. I had always considered myself an “active” person, however I found myself struggling to finish a WOD that involved running and push-ups. I gave it my all and finished- dead last. But I did it. The feeling of accomplishment was amazing and empowering. For me the best part of it was having people I didn’t know and just met 40 minutes earlier, cheering for me and pushing me to be better. That’s what makes CFN and CFS so great, everyone is in this together.

What is your athletic background? Growing up I played soccer mostly. I was the captain of the high school team and selected to play on a select team that toured portions of Europe and playing all-star teams from different locations.

How has CFN changed your life, lifestyle and level of fitness? As a firefighter I believe I owe it to myself, my coworkers, and the towns people to remain fit. CFN has allowed me to be prepared to physically handle the situations I may face on the fire ground. Mentally CFN has changed my life. Before joining I had no outlets for the stresses I faced. I would carry things from work with me. Negativity was my primary emotion. At CFN,CFS you can’t be negative, the coaches won’t allow it. They may think that they are simply pushing you to run faster and lift heavier but they are doing much more than that. The coaches at CFN,CFS are changing lives. After one year of CrossFit I am more positive, I am mentally tougher and I am able to complete most WODS at the RX level.

What is one personal goal that you would like to achieve at CFN? In CrossFit there are always things that you want to be able to do faster, better, heavier. My personal goal is to believe in myself. To believe that when a coach says “you can do it”, know that I can do.

What moment/achievement are you most proud of at CFN? Completing a Squat Snatch during the OPEN. I had it in my mind that I wouldn’t be able to do it due to mobility issues. But everyone there believed I could and with Sarah’s great coaching and people cheering me on I was able to pull it off.

What is one thing most people do NOT know about you? I have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Yet I am a firefighter and a carpenter on the side.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about joining or who has recently joined? CFN is not a “gym”. It is not a place where you can go “workout” by yourself and wonder if you are doing things correctly. CFN is a community that is welcoming and encouraging. We support each other and make each other better. The coaches are top notch and will make sure you are doing things right. Today is another day to be better than yesterday and you don’t have to do it alone.

Member name:

The Chestnuts

Athlete of the month: October

Details

This month we honor TWO amazing people, a husband and wife. Not only have they adopted CrossFit into their life but also are strong believers in eating Paleo. So strong that they actually won our Paleo challenge!

He has shown huge improvements in the box, always putting up big numbers and great times sometimes even a two-a-day here and there. She has made incredible life changes, not only loosing 12 inches in 30 days, but is now symptom free from her rheumatoid arthritis she had since she was 15 years old! They are great examples of using CrossFit as a tool to improve you life.

Member name:

Stacey Bellemore

Athlete of the month: April

Details

This month we honor one of our most consistent members, Stacey Bellemore. You can often find her early to class doing Eric’s extra programming, two WODs in one day is no big deal for her. She is one of the nicest, most welcoming people in the box and always good for a laugh! We are lucky to have her!